😐Monthly costs for one person with rent: $1,218 in Tbilisi versus $943 in Johor Bahru.
😐Estimated couple costs with rent: $1,853 in Tbilisi versus $1,385 in Johor Bahru.
😐Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $2,489 in Tbilisi versus $1,826 in Johor Bahru.
😐Living in Tbilisi is roughly 29% more expensive than Johor Bahru, driven mainly by Clothing & Footwear.
📊Both cities sit below the global median: Tbilisi9% lower, Johor Bahru30% lower.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Tbilisi
Johor Bahru
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$10.85₾28.75
$3.59MYR 14.56
202.23%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$44.17₾117
$18.77MYR 76.1
135.32%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$8.28₾21.94
$4.69MYR 19.02
76.55%
Cappuccino
$3.02₾8.00
$3.02MYR 12.23
-
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.76₾2.02
$0.79MYR 3.22
-3.80%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.46₾1.22
$0.45MYR 1.84
2.22%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$2.24₾5.93
$3.64MYR 14.78
-38.46%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.00₾7.95
$6.63MYR 26.90
-54.75%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Tbilisi
Johor Bahru
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.93₾5.11
$1.82MYR 7.37
6.04%
White Bread(500g)
$0.72₾1.91
$0.93MYR 3.76
-22.58%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.84₾4.87
$1.29MYR 5.25
42.64%
Eggs
$2.45₾6.48
$1.87MYR 7.59
31.02%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$7.43₾19.67
$10.72MYR 43.49
-30.69%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$6.48₾17.16
$3.49MYR 14.17
85.67%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$9.70₾25.70
$8.21MYR 33.29
18.15%
Apples(1kg)
$1.20₾3.18
$2.77MYR 11.21
-56.68%
Banana(1kg)
$1.56₾4.14
$1.48MYR 6.00
5.41%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.79₾4.75
$2.48MYR 10.04
-27.82%
Tomato(1kg)
$2.23₾5.90
$1.26MYR 5.10
76.98%
Potato(1kg)
$0.65₾1.73
$1.14MYR 4.61
-42.98%
Onion(1kg)
$0.68₾1.79
$1.33MYR 5.38
-48.87%
Lettuce(1 head)
$1.19₾3.16
$0.94MYR 3.82
26.60%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.70₾1.86
$0.57MYR 2.30
22.81%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$2.95₾7.82
$4.19MYR 16.98
-29.59%
Wine(Bottle)
$7.33₾19.41
$14.08MYR 57.1
-47.94%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.52₾4.02
$2.64MYR 10.72
-42.42%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.25₾5.95
$2.93MYR 11.90
-23.21%
🚌 Getting Around
Tbilisi
Johor Bahru
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.36₾0.95
$0.74MYR 3.02
-51.35%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$14.60₾38.68
$11.67MYR 47.34
25.11%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$1.50₾3.97
$1.02MYR 4.13
47.06%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.73₾1.92
$0.99MYR 4.03
-26.26%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$7.45₾19.74
$9.41MYR 38.15
-20.83%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.14₾3.01
$0.46MYR 1.85
147.83%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$18.5K₾49.0K
$35.8KMYR 145.2K
-48.30%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$20.3K₾53.6K
$27.4KMYR 111.1K
-26.06%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Tbilisi
Johor Bahru
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$73.9₾196
$41.08MYR 167
79.84%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$11.71₾31.01
$9.14MYR 37.06
28.12%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$18.16₾48.09
$30.22MYR 123
-39.91%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Tbilisi
Johor Bahru
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$61.7₾163
$34.97MYR 142
76.47%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$16.66₾44.12
$6.01MYR 24.37
177.20%
Cinema Ticket
$6.61₾17.50
$5.04MYR 20.42
31.15%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Tbilisi
Johor Bahru
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$264₾700
$184MYR 746
43.64%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$5,145₾13.6K
$6,934MYR 28.1K
-25.81%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Tbilisi
Johor Bahru
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$74.9₾198
$49.20MYR 200
52.15%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$43.98₾117
$19.06MYR 77.3
130.75%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$118₾312
$54.1MYR 219
117.55%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$114₾301
$40.69MYR 165
179.58%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Tbilisi
Johor Bahru
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$692₾1,833
$469MYR 1,901
47.64%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$454₾1,203
$397MYR 1,611
14.28%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$1,323₾3,504
$816MYR 3,311
62.06%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$789₾2,089
$611MYR 2,478
29.03%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$2,431₾6,440
$2,079MYR 8,432
16.93%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$1,441₾3,818
$1,163MYR 4,714
23.98%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Tbilisi
Johor Bahru
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$645₾1,709
$1,108MYR 4,492
-41.77%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
11.89
4.07
192.14%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Tbilisi: June 9, 2026
Last update for Johor Bahru: June 7, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $692 in Tbilisi and $469 in Johor Bahru. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
💰Johor Bahru pays 72% more on average while also being the cheaper of the two. The combined effect is a noticeably stronger local purchasing power.
🛒Dining out: $44.00 in Tbilisi vs $19.00 in Johor Bahru. Groceries flip the comparison at $204 vs $217, with Tbilisi cheaper for home cooking.
City Median Internet Speeds Comparison (Updated April 2026)
The chart highlights the Precision Threshold for mobile and fixed broadband internet speeds, updated quarterly.
Digital Nomad Cost of Living Index
Tbilisi vs Johor Bahru: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
What is the total cost difference between living in Tbilisi and Johor Bahru?
Tbilisi and Johor Bahru differ by about 29% in total monthly costs ($1,218 vs $943 including rent). Johor Bahru is meaningfully more affordable – a gap that matters a lot on a fixed or modest income.
Which city has better-paying jobs?
On paper, Johor Bahru earns 72% less. That's worth factoring in alongside costs, though remote workers earning in a stronger currency may not notice the difference at all.
How do apartment prices compare in Tbilisi and Johor Bahru?
Rent for a central apartment: $692 in Tbilisi versus $469 in Johor Bahru. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
Which city has cheaper restaurants?
Dining out is cheaper in Johor Bahru – a meal for two runs $19.00 versus $44.00 in Tbilisi. If you eat out regularly, this makes a real dent in your monthly spending.
Which city is more expensive overall: Tbilisi or Johor Bahru?
All in, you'll spend $1,218 per month in Tbilisi versus $943 in Johor Bahru – a 29% gap that adds up to real savings over time for anyone picking the cheaper option.
Which city is more doable on $2,000 per month?
At $943 in Johor Bahru versus $1,218 in Tbilisi, a $2,000 budget is realistic in Johor Bahru but tight or insufficient in Tbilisi. The gap between the two cities makes Johor Bahru the clear choice for anyone on this budget.
How does quality of life compare between Tbilisi and Johor Bahru?
Both cities offer a good standard of living with different trade-offs. Neither is objectively better – the right pick depends on what matters most: affordability, career, cultural scene, or climate.
Is Tbilisi or Johor Bahru safer for residents?
Safety-wise, Tbilisi and Johor Bahru are on par. Petty crime is typical for cities this size, and most residents feel comfortable going about their daily routines in either place.
Where should expats move: Tbilisi or Johor Bahru?
Expats usually find Johor Bahru gentler on the wallet – expenses run 29% less than in Tbilisi. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.